Machine for numbering the pages of books



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD TOVN AND CALVIN E. TOYVN, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR NUMBERING THE PAGES OF BOOKS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 21,708', dated October 5, 1858.

To all t0/0m t may concern.'

Be it known that we, EDWARD ToWN and l CALvrN Town, both of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New J ersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machines for Paging Account- Books; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, in which Figure l is an end elevation of the machine. Fig. 2, is a plan view. Fig. 3, is a sectional view of one of the bedpieces B, showing the slot D, and channels. Fig. A, is a half size view of the first pair of type blocks with a side view of one of them.

y The same letters refer in all the views to the same parts of the machine.

A is the frame of the machine. Cn the two upper stretchers the bedpieces' B, B, are adjustable and may be secured at any requisite distance apart by set screws keys or other device. The bedpieces are constructed With channels through Which the type blocks C, C, are driven by the ratchet pawls c, c, c, c, affixed to the slides c c. The channels are covered with a sheet of brass or other metal Which with the movable bars P, P, P, form the table of the machine. Slots D, (Fig. 3) are cut through the bottom of the channels, and of the same Width, and long enough to allow the type blocks to drop through into the discharging boxes E, (Figs. l and 3).

F, F, `are two curved levers strongly pivoted to the frame, and the bar is firmly bolted to the lower end of'each. The other end of each lever contains a vertical slot in Which the ends of the rectangular bar G, are fastened. The levers F, F, the connecting bar f, and the rectangular bar G, form a rigid frame which swings on the pivots of the levers F, F, and is connected to the treadle H, by the rods It, l1., and lever This frame is held by the helical spring I, in such a. position that the bar G, shall be at the highest point of its motion. The bar G carries two stampers J, J, and two studs K, K, which are secured to any part of the bar by keys set screws, or other device. The standards L, L, are bolted to the sides of the bedpieces anddthe angular levers M, M, are pivoted to them. These levers are connected to the bar G, by the studs K, K, and

communicate motion to the slides c', c, and

pawls c, c, c, c, by means of which the type blocks are driven forward at each impression. Two of the movable bars P, P, carry adjustable gages N, N, and a side gage C, is attached to the frame. Against these gages the paper is placed to regulate the position of the figures on the sheet.

The types are stereotyped or electrotyped in plates of convenient size, and fastened to blocks of wood, or other suitable material, which have a number of ratchet teeth cut on one side (Fig. 4) corresponding to the number of figures on the block.

The operation of the machine is as follows: A number of type blocks sufficient for the book to be paged are placed on a form or bank behind the machine and are inked by an attendant, who then places the first pair of type blocks in the channels of the bedpieces as shown in Fig. 2. (To avoid error each block has its number stamped upon it near each end, the first pair which enter the machine being numbered l.) A quantity of paper sufficient to make a book (more or less) is laid upon the table of the machine, and the pager then places the first sheet of paper against the gages iT, N, and C, and presses his foot upon the treadle H. The swinging frame f, F, F, G, it operated by means of the rods L, 71., and lever 2', and the stampers are brought down upon the paper pressing the two upper corners upon the numbers on the first end of the type blocks,-a square opening in the metallic covers of the bed pieces permitting the contact of the paper with the type. At the same time the long arms of the levers M, M, are depressed and the short arms carry back the slides c, c', the pawls c, c, c, c, taking in the next tooth of the type blocks C, C. The pager then raises his foot, when the action of the spring I, returns the machine to its former position, the pawls c, c, c, c, carrying the type-blocks forward the distance of one number. The sheet of paper is then t-urned over and the same operation is repeated, printing on the opposite side of the sheet, the second number in each type block. These operations are repeated until the required number of sheet-s are printed when the attendant again places the first pair of type blocks in the machine and the pager proceeds with the next book without having to stop to readjust t-he machine as is necessary in all other machines. As the blocks are driven through the machine each, after having performed its Work, drops through the slot D, (Fig. 3) into the discharging box F, and runs down to the back of the machine. The attendant then places it on the form or bank to be inked for the next book.

The specific advantages secured by our invention are: lst. The paging machine, by the simplicity of its construction7 is rendered less liable to get out of order, and more economical in its use than any other machine. 2nd. It performs the Work of paging account books, or of printing letters or characters on the same, when it is necessary to change the form at every impression, better than is done by any other machine. Brd. It is more rapid in its operation. 4th. By arranging the type upon solid type blocks, constructed as described, and moved upon level bed pieces, the type are brought more exactly and evenly to the point or impression, and the register of the Work is consequently improved. 5th. By dividing the line of type into sections no more type are used than are required for the particular book to be paged, and, While part of the type are in use, the rest can be inked by the attendant.

What We claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. The use of type blocks, containing a limited number of type, constructed as above described, with the ratchet teeth at the side, or any equivalent device, to secure their uniform motion.

2. TWe also claim the level bed pieces as described in combination With the type blocks.

3. `We further claim the mode of delivery of the type blocks by means of the discharging boxes as described.

4. `We further claim the general combination of these parts with each other, and With the other parts of the machine.

EDWARD TOWN. CALVIN E. TOWN.

Titnesses Nar H. LORD, PETER I. THOMAS. 

